Dr. Judith Ringgold Docca

Dr. Judith Ringgold Docca was born on June 24,1939, in Philadelphia, PA, and passed away on Friday, August 9, 2024. The impact of this loss is an echo of an incredible life well lived. Dr. Docca, Judy to friends and family, was an upstanding member of our community and the pinnacle of education. Before her extensive career in Montgomery County Public Schools, Judy climbed up every rung of the educational ladder. First receiving a Bachelor's degree in Romance Language and Literature from Pennsylvania State University in 1960, then onto a Master's degree in the same field from George Washington University, and finally onto her doctorate in Education Administrations from George Washington University. She began her career in Montgomery County as a Spanish and French teacher and later served as a Human Relations Coordinator before moving up to Assistant Principal at Montgomery Blair High School, and then Principal at Argyle Middle School. She would move on to being a four term (2006-2022) elected member of the Montgomery County Board of Education.

A strong advocate for education and civil rights, Dr. Docca was an Officer, Education chair, and Youth Council sponsor of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She served as chair of the Multicultural Community Partnership, president and treasurer of the Montgomery County Alliance of Black School Educators, and was a member of the Hispanic Educators Association and the League of Educators for Asian American Progress. She had been a mentor to high school students, a SAT tutor, and served on the Board of Directors for The George B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy. She was also co-chair of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education's (MABE) Black and Hispanic Caucus and a member of MABE's Conference Planning Committee. As if that were not enough, she was also essential in saving Montgomery County's Head Start program.

She has received, deservingly so, many awards and recognitions for her tireless dedication to our educational community and was inducted into the Montgomery County Human and Civil Rights Hall of Fame and was recently honored with a "Living Legend Award" during a Montgomery County Juneteenth celebration. Additionally, she was appointed to the Montgomery College Board of Trustees by Maryland Governor Wes Moore. Her legacy has been honored in other ways, including a MCPS Educational Foundation scholarship in her name, and the Argyle Middle School media center being named for her in 2023.

Outside of the education realm Judy was always active in her community. She was often out and about, proudly attending friendly luncheons with her sorority sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), doing community service as a member of The Links or going to the movies with family, never depriving the world of her company. Neighborly holiday get-togethers were always warmer and more festive when she attended.

Dr. Docca's passing is a ripple that can be felt throughout Montgomery County, through school hallways, community organization meetings, and average living rooms; but with that ripple there will continue to be waves of progress because of her incredible legacy and munificent heart.

She was predeceased by her parents Celestine Davis Ringgold Stanford and Arthur N. Ringgold.

She is survived by a son, Billy of Berlin, MD; three grandchildren: Carly, Luke, and Jake; two sisters, Frances of Gaithersburg, MD and Susan of Philadelphia, PA and a niece, Carrie.

Services took place August 22, 2024.